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Folks Of Interest Early Stewart Warner gauge thread

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Pat Pryor, May 13, 2016.

  1. KKrod
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 1,454

    KKrod
    Member

    These are examples of SW speedometer and tachometer that were used in the 40's with the 2-5/8 smooth bezel gauges. They are smaller requiring a 3-1/4 hole (or 3-1/8 can't remember which) than the standard gauges used today. They are front mounted. Hope these photos help.

    IMG_5476.JPG IMG_5478.JPG
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2019
  2. KKrod
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 1,454

    KKrod
    Member

    When did Stewart Warner begin producing the 2 5/8 smooth bezel front mount gauges? Definitely in the 30's. They were used in the 1935 Miller Ford race cars!! I have seen an original photo of the gauges and dashboard in 1935. These must have been sold as individual gauges for general use. I would like to know when the early style 2-1/16 inch tulip needle front mount gauges were developed. About the same time would seem reasonable to me. de32343c54a7dc3b2ea441df5639f254.jpg 6162313852_86d0a6b91b.jpg 9d3c352d6a447c84b101e72cf6fd2244.jpg
     
  3. Glen Vassallo
    Joined: Aug 7, 2018
    Posts: 6

    Glen Vassallo

    Hi all. First post here but long time lurker. Love this site. Just found this lovely gauge. Its stuck on 60 psi, any way of getting it to work properly? Thanks 20190205_100732.jpg
     
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  4. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,404

    alchemy
    Member

    Glen, that is about the cheapest gauge SW ever made, and a nice replacement could probably be found for $20. The bill to have yours professionally repaired would top $100 for sure. Or you could attempt it on your own. Carefully pry the rim crimping from around the bucket a very little at a time, working your way around and around many times. Then see if there is anything inside sticking or obviously broke, and fix it. Then carefully reassemble the bezel by slowly rolling (pushing) the edge back over, round and round. Slow and steady wins the race.
     
  5. Glen Vassallo
    Joined: Aug 7, 2018
    Posts: 6

    Glen Vassallo

    Hi alchemy. Thanks for your reply. I guess I'll just leave it as is. I don't need it in working condition. It's just a show piece. If I try to remove the rim I would probably ruin it!! Thanks again
     
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  6. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,357

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member

    You can try zapping it with compressed air (set it to maybe 80psi and just shoot the nozzle in the port at the back). Then you can try sticking a vacuum hose (or pump) to get the needle moving. There’s a bourdon tube (kinda like a spring) inside that makes the needle move in response to change in pressure.


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
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  7. Glen Vassallo
    Joined: Aug 7, 2018
    Posts: 6

    Glen Vassallo

    Thanks Tim. I gave it a few shots of compressed air but it did not help. I will try the vacuum idea. Thanks again
     
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  8. Speed~On
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 1,607

    Speed~On
    Member

    @Django This is an early SW vacuum gauge that is very hard to find with this particular face (Red between 0 - 8) This is a 2-5/8, smooth bezel, curved glass, front mount, crescent needle. How about making one of these?

    Screenshot_20190205-195521_Instagram.jpg

    Screenshot_20190205-200305_Instagram.jpg

     
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  9. Speed~On
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 1,607

    Speed~On
    Member

    It only took me 3 years to hunt down the holy grail of 1940's Stewart Warner 2 5/8" front mount gauges....the GAS gauge. This arrived the other day and I'm thrilled. The$e will set you back a little coin, but it's sure nice to finally have one.

    20190221_152158.jpg

    20190221_152029.jpg

    20190221_152021.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2019
  10. Dreddybear
    Joined: Mar 31, 2007
    Posts: 6,084

    Dreddybear
    Member

    I feel like the blues need some love:

    There’s 14 in my coupe. From left to right:

    Firewall/Engine: amp, vac, fuel press, oil press, oil temp.

    Inside: oil press, water temp, vac, fuel level
    Amp, volt, oil temp

    Trunk: amp, volts

    34727A53-45F9-4D6F-9A03-5862F018478B.jpeg

    69D5F591-5B3A-4B1D-BEEE-F18E14BE2584.jpeg

    3D25388B-9120-46CF-AB36-39A4C89DF1A2.jpeg

    B194783B-F3DB-4B74-AD49-2C347D5FBEAB.jpeg
     
  11. Speed~On
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 1,607

    Speed~On
    Member

    Darth Walter rules, Dreddy Bear!! Great Model A and outstanding compliment of vintage S.W. gauges.
     
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  12. Speed~On
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 1,607

    Speed~On
    Member

    This should fill my dash.

    IMG_20190321_130013_708.jpg
     
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  13. Wow....:rolleyes:....impressive !
     
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  14. fleetside66
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 3,003

    fleetside66
    Member

    The three types of old style Stewart-Warner "Wings" gauges.

    (1) The Deluxe version, which came with a chrome bezel, curved glass, side light windows.
    IMG_1626.jpg
    (2) The Utility version, which came with a black painted bezel, flat glass & no lighting. Yes, I couldn't help transplanting a chrome bezel on it.
    IMG_1625.jpg
    (3) The Industrial version, which came with a black painted bezel, flat glass & no lighting. Again, I couldn't help myself with the bezel. I like shiny stuff, what can I say?
    IMG_1624.jpg
     
  15. Speed~On
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 1,607

    Speed~On
    Member

    2 more Stewart Warner 2 5/8" Motor Minder gauges added to the collection.

    IMG_20190419_110441_318.jpg
     
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  16. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,376

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

    Last Sunday I purchased the remaining inventory and equipment from a 90 year old gentleman who owned a speedometer shop in Kansas.
    So now I have two more Stewart Warner test benches to add to the stable at the shop. Plus a ton of NOS Stewart Warner parts to sort through. 20190420_090708.jpeg 20190420_090717.jpeg 20190420_090727.jpeg

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  17. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,376

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

  18. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,376

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

  19. Brad333
    Joined: Oct 18, 2017
    Posts: 33

    Brad333
    Member

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  20. e1956v
    Joined: Sep 29, 2009
    Posts: 2,376

    e1956v
    Alliance Vendor

    I think it's all repair parts, there's so much stuff that I just peeked in a few boxes. Parts from all the major speedometer makers Stewart Warner, A.C., Moto-meter/Autolite, King Seeley and Waltham. If there's any gauges or complete units I'll post them on the HAMB.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  21. x77matt
    Joined: Mar 2, 2004
    Posts: 812

    x77matt
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Love this thread! Here is a set of early gauges I had restored for my roadster project by Chris Schleps (the gauge guy).

    20180803_164049.jpg

    So, a year later I had him restore a matching temp gauge so I could run duals on my flatty, and I have a Scot blower, so I had him build me a custom boost/ vacuum gauge using the guts of a new Stewart Warner. It's 2 5/8 long tail crescent, and matches the rest nicely. Only downside is I only need about 5psi of the boost side with the little blower

    20190330_115715.jpg
     
  22. x77matt
    Joined: Mar 2, 2004
    Posts: 812

    x77matt
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I found this curved glass winged manifold pressure recently and it is NOS. I've never seen another- have you guys?

    20181217_201722.jpg 20181217_201726.jpg
     
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  23. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,404

    alchemy
    Member

    I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but your winged manifold pressure gauge seems to have had the bezel removed/replaced. And the color difference on the can verses the fitting port seems too much. I bet that is a rescreened face installed on a later gauge.

    Can you seem any part numbers on the face way on the outside edge?
     
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  24. 2018072295103454.jpg
    NOS Stewart Warner Greenlines in a So-Cal panel.
     
  25. x77matt
    Joined: Mar 2, 2004
    Posts: 812

    x77matt
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I don't think so, it's definitely never been pried off, but maybe someone put a new bezel on it?
    20190421_172344.jpg 20190421_172423.jpg 20190421_172409.jpg
     
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  26. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 3,883

    rusty valley
    Member

    manifold pressure gauge is very common on the older big rigs, peterbuilt, kenworth, etc
     
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  27. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,404

    alchemy
    Member

    Hey Texaco, those look nice! Who did the restoration work for you? I have the complete dash from a '37 Diamond T to use in a hot rod and it needs some restoration of the gauges. And I'm going to have the clock turned into a tachometer.
     
  28. Fantastic job on the gauges...Wow :rolleyes:
     
  29. The restoration was done here in New Zealand. We have details somewhere of an instrument repairer in the US, so will find and send them to you.
     
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